Calibration slides for digital pathology

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to coatings or thin films comprising a dye or stain embedded within a matrix, e.g. a polymer matrix.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A calibration system comprising:
 a. an optically transparent substrate; and 
 b. a coating having a substantially uniform thickness disposed on at least a portion of the optically transparent substrate, the coating comprising a dye substantially uniformly dispersed within the matrix. 
 
     
     
       2. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the dye is a chromogen. 
     
     
       3. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the dye is derived from a chromogen. 
     
     
       4. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the dye is a reaction product of an enzyme and a substrate for the enzyme. 
     
     
       5. The calibration system of  claim 4 , wherein the enzyme is coupled to an antibody. 
     
     
       6. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a gel. 
     
     
       7. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a protein. 
     
     
       8. The calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a polysaccharide. 
     
     
       9. A calibration system comprising:
 a. an optically transparent substrate; and 
 b. at least two different coatings deposited in at least two different areas on a surface of the optically transparent; wherein each coating of the at least two different coatings are substantially uniform in thickness; wherein each coating of the at least two different coatings comprises a dye embedded within a matrix; and wherein the dye is substantially uniformly dispersed within the matrix. 
 
     
     
       10. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the dye is a chromogen. 
     
     
       11. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the dye is derived from a chromogen. 
     
     
       12. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the dye is a precipitate of a chromogen. 
     
     
       13. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the dye is a reaction product of an enzyme and a substrate for the enzyme. 
     
     
       14. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the dye is a concentration dependent dye. 
     
     
       15. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix comprises a gel. 
     
     
       16. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix comprises a protein. 
     
     
       17. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix comprises a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
       18. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two different coatings comprise the same dye in different concentrations. 
     
     
       19. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the at the at least two different coatings comprise two different dyes. 
     
     
       20. The calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein at least four different coatings are deposited in at least four different areas on the surface of the optically transparent substrate.